VAAGDEVI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Autonomous
Bollikunta, Khila Warangal (Mandal), Warangal Urban-506 005 (T.S),
www.vaagdevi.edu.in

Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Course: Electrical Circuits-II

Unit I: Three Phase Circuits
B.Tech II Year I Sem

Dr.K.Ranjith Kumar
Assistant Professor
 Three Phase Circuits
• There are two types of system available in electric circuit,
single phase and three phase system.

• In single phase circuit, there will be only one phase, i.e the
current will flow through only one wire and there will be one
return path called neutral line to complete the circuit.

• So in single phase minimum amount of power can be

transported.

• The generating station and load station will also be single

phase. This is an old system using from previous time.
 Three Phase Circuits
• In 1882, new invention has been done on poly phase system,
that more than one phase can be used for generating,
transmitting and for load system.

• Three phase circuit is the poly phase system where three

phases are send together from the generator to the load.
 Why Three Phase is Preferred Over
Single Phase?
There are various reasons for this question because there are
numbers of advantages over single phase circuit.

• The three phase system can be used as three single phase

line so it can act as three single phase system.

• The three phase generation and single phase generation is

same in the generator except the arrangement of coil in the
generator to get 120o phase difference.

• The conductor needed in three phase circuit is 75% that of

conductor needed in single phase circuit.
 Why Three Phase is Preferred Over
Single Phase?
• And also the instantaneous power in single phase system
falls down to zero as in single phase we can see from the
sinusoidal curve but in three phase system the net power
from all the phases gives a continuous power to the load.
 Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

Three phase system has the following advantages as compare to

single phase system:

1. For electric power transmission and distribution of same

amount of power, the requirement of conductor material is less

in 3-ø system as compare to 1-ø system. Hence, the 3-ø

transmission and distribution system is economical as compare

1-ø system.
 Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

2. Power to weight ratio of 3-ø alternator is high as compared

to 1-ø alternator. That means for generation for same

amount of Electric Power, the size of 3-ø alternator is small

as compare to 1-ø alternator.

Hence, the overall cost of alternator is reduced for

generation of same amount of power. Moreover, due to reduction

in weight, transportation and installation of alternator become

convenient and less space is required to accommodate the

alternator in power houses.

 Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

3. Power to weight ratio of three phase induction motor is high

as compare to single phase induction motor. Means for the
same amount of Mechanical Power, the size of three phase
induction motor is small as compared to single phase
induction motor.

Hence, the overall cost of induction motor is reduced.

Moreover, due to reduction in weight, transportation, and
installation of induction motor become convenient and less
space is required to accommodate the induction motor.
 Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

4. 3-phase induction motor is self-started as the magnetic flux

produced by 3-phase supply is rotating in nature with a
constant magnitude.

Whereas 1-ø induction motor is not self-started as

the magnetic flux produced by 1-ø supply is pulsating in nature.
Hence, we have to make some arrangement to make the 1-ø
induction motor self-started which further increases the cost of
1-ø induction motor.

5. 3-phase motor is having better power factor

 Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

6. Power to weight ratio of 3-phase transformer is high as

compare to 1-ø transformer. Means for the same amount of
Electric Power, the size of 3-phase transformer is small as
compared to 1-ø transformer.

Hence, the overall cost of a transformer gets reduced.

Moreover, due to reduction in weight, transportation
and installation of transformer become convenient and less
space is required to accommodate the transformer.
 Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

7. If a fault occurs in any winding of a 3-phase transformer,

the rest of two winding can be used in the open delta to
serve the 3-phase load. The same is not possible in 1-
ø transformer. This ability of 3-phase transformer further
increases the reliability of 3-phase transformer.

8. A 3-phase system can be used to feed a 1-ø load, whereas

vice-versa is not possible.
 Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

9. DC rectified from 3-phase supply is having the ripple factor 4%

and DC rectified from 1-ø supply is having the ripple factor

48.2%.

Mean DC rectified from 3-ø supply contains fewer ripples as

compare to DC rectified from a 1-ø supply.

Hence the requirement of the filter is reduced for DC

rectified from a 3-phase supply. Which reduce the overall cost of

converter.
 Three Phase Circuits
Definition:

• The system which has three phases, i.e., the current will pass
through the three wires, and there will be one neutral wire for
passing the fault current to the earth is known as the three
phase system.
 Three Phase Circuits
• In other words, the system which uses three wires for
generation, transmission and distribution is known as the
three phase system.
• The three phase system is also used as a single phase system
if one of their phase and the neutral wire is taken out from it.
• The sum of the line currents in the 3-phase system is equal
to zero, and their phases are differentiated at an angle of
120º.
• The three-phase system has four wire, i.e., the three current
carrying conductors and the one neutral.
• The cross section area of the neutral conductor is half of the
live wire.
 Phase Sequence
• In a three-phase system, the order in which the voltages
attain their maximum positive value is called Phase
Sequence.

• There are three voltages or EMFs in the three-phase system

with the same magnitude, but the frequency is displaced by
an angle of 120 deg electrically.
 Phase Sequence
• Taking an example, if the phases of any coil are named as R,
Y, B then the Positive phase sequence will be RYB, YBR, BRY
also called clockwise sequence

• and similarly the Negative phase sequence will be RBY, BYR,

YRB respectively and known as an anti-clockwise sequence.
 Phase Sequence

It is essential because of the following reasons:

• The parallel operation of the three-phase transformer or

alternator is only possible when its phase sequence is known.

• The rotational direction of the three-phase induction motor

depends upon its sequence of phase on three-phase supply.
And thus to reverse its direction the phase sequence of the
supply given to the motor has to be changed.
Types of Connections in Three-Phase
System
• The three-phase systems are connected in two ways.

 Star connection and

 Delta connection.
 Star Connection
• The star connection requires four wires in which there are
three phase conductors and one neutral conductor.
• Such type of connection is mainly used for long distance
transmission because it has a neutral point.
• The neutral point passes the unbalanced current to the
earth and hence make the system balance.
• The star connected three phase systems gives two different
voltages, i.e., the 230 V and 440V.
• The voltage between the single phase and the neutral is
230V, and the voltage between the two phases is equal to the
440V.
 Star Connection
• When equal current will flow through all the three phases,
then it is called as balanced current.

• And when the current will not be equal in any of the phase,
then it is unbalanced current.

• During balanced condition there will be no current flowing

through the neutral line and hence there is no use of the
neutral terminal.

• But when there will be unbalanced current flowing in the

three phase circuit, neutral is having a vital role. It will take
the unbalanced current through to the ground and protect
the transformer.
Star Connection
 Delta Connection

• The delta connection has three wires, and there is a no

neutral point.

• Normally delta connection is preferred for short distance due

to the problem of unbalanced current in the circuit.

• In the load station, ground can be used as neutral path if

required.

• The line voltage of the delta connection is equal to the phase

voltage.
Delta Connection
 Power Relation
• The power is independent of the circuit arrangement of the three
phase system.

• The net power in the circuit will be same in both star and delta
connection.

• The power in three phase circuit can be calculated from the

equation below,

• Since, there is three phases, so the multiple of 3 is made in the

normal power equation and the PF is power factor. Power factor
is a very important factor in three phase system and some times
due to certain error, it is corrected by using capacitors.
Connection of Loads in Three Phase
System
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection

• The current flowing through each phase is called Phase

current Iph,

• the current flowing through each line conductor is

called Line Current IL.

• Similarly, the voltage across each phase is called Phase

Voltage Eph,

• the voltage across two line conductors is known as the Line

Voltage EL.
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection

• As the system is balanced, a balanced system means that in

all the three phases, i.e., R, Y and B, the equal amount of
current flows through them.

• Therefore, the three voltages ENR, ENY and ENB are equal in
magnitude but displaced from one another by 120° electrical.
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection

• Suppose due to load impedance the current lags the applied

voltage in each phase of the system by an angle ϕ.

• As we have considered that the system is perfectly balanced,

the magnitude of current and voltage of each phase is the
same.

• Let us say, the magnitude of the voltage across the red phase
i.e. magnitude of the voltage between neutral point (N) and
red phase terminal (R) is VR.
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection

• Similarly, the magnitude of the voltage across yellow phase is

VY and the magnitude of the voltage across blue phase is VB.

• In the balanced star system, magnitude of phase voltage in

each phase is Vph.

• ∴ VR = VY = VB = Vph

• the voltage across R and Y terminal of the star connected

circuit is VRY.

• The voltage across Y and B terminal of the star connected

circuit is VYB.
The voltage across B and R terminal of the star connected
circuit is VBR.
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection

• From the diagram, it is found that

VRY = VR + (− VY)
Similarly, VYB = VY + (− VB)
And, VBR = VB + (− VR)
Now, as angle between VR and VY is 120o(electrical), the angle
between VR and – VY is 180o – 120o = 60o(electrical).
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Star Connection

• Hence, in star connection line voltage is root 3 times of

phase voltage.
Relation Between Phase Current and Line Current
in Star Connection

• In the star connection, line current is same as phase current.

The magnitude of this current is same in all three phases and
say it is IL.
∴ IR = IY = IB = IL, Where, IR is line current of R phase, IY is line
current of Y phase and IB is line current of B phase.

• Again, phase current, Iph of each phase is same as line

current IL in star connected system.
∴ IR = IY = IB = IL = Iph.

Hence, in a 3 Phase system of star connections, the line

current is equal to phase current.
Relation Between Phase Current and Line Current
in Star Connection

• Thus, for the star-connected system

 line voltage = √3 × phase voltage.

 Line current = Phase current

• As, the angle between voltage and current per phase is φ, the
electric power per phase is

• So the total power of three phase system is

Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Delta Connection

To understand the relationship between the phase voltage

and line voltage in the delta connection, consider figure
shown below:
Relation Between Phase Voltage and Line Voltage
in Delta Connection

• It is clear from the figure that the voltage across terminals 1

and 2 is the same as across the terminals R and Y. Therefore,

• Similarly,

• the phase voltages are

• The line voltages are:

• Hence, in delta connection line voltage is equal to phase

voltage.
Relation Between Phase Current and Line Current
in Delta Connection

• As in the balanced system the three-phase current I12, I23 and

I31 are equal in magnitude but are displaced from one
another by 120° electrical.
Relation Between Phase Current and Line Current
in Delta Connection

• Hence,

• If we look at figure, it is seen that the current is divided at

every junction 1, 2 and 3.

• Applying Kirchhoff’s Law at junction 1,

• The Incoming currents are equal to outgoing currents.

• And their vector difference will be given as:

Relation Between Phase Current and Line Current
in Delta Connection

• The vector I12 is reversed and is added in the vector I31 to get
the vector sum of I31 and –I12 as shown above in the phasor
diagram. Therefore,

As we know, IR = IL, therefore,

Similarly,
Relation Between Phase Current and Line Current
in Delta Connection

• Hence, in delta connection line current is root three

times of phase current.
 SOLVED PROBLEMS
Example 1: Three identical coils, each of resistance
10ohm and inductance 42mH are connected (a) in star and
(b) in delta to a 415V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. Determine the
total power dissipated in each case.

Star connection
Inductive reactance,
XL =2πf L =2π (50) (42×10−3) =13.19 ohm
Phase impedance,
Zp =√(R2 +XL2)
=√(102 +13.192) =16.55 ohm
Line voltage, VL =415 V
• And phase voltage,

VP =VL/√3=415/√3=240 V.

• Phase current,

Ip =Vp/Zp =240/16.55=14.50 A.

• Line current,

IL =Ip =14.50 A.

• Power factor= cos φ=Rp/Zp =10/16.55 =0.6042 lagging.

• Power dissipated,

P =√3 VLIL cos φ =√3 (415) (14.50)(0.6042) = 6.3kW

(Alternatively, P =3I2R =3(14.50)2(10)=6.3kW)

(b) Delta connection

VL = Vp = 415 V,

Zp = 16.55, cos φ = 0.6042 lagging

• Phase current, Ip =Vp/Zp =415/16.55=25.08A.

• Line current, IL =√3Ip =√3(25.08)=43.44A.

• Power dissipated,

P =√3 VLIL cos φ =√3 (415)(43.44)(0.6042) = 18.87kW

(Alternatively, P =3I2R =3(25.08)2(10) =18.87 kW)

2
Analysis of Balanced and Unbalanced Three
Phase Circuits
• A balanced three-phase voltage or current is one in which
the magnitude of each phase is the same, and the
phase angles of the three phases differ from each other by
120 degrees.

• A balanced three-phase network is one in which the

impedances in the three phases are identical.

• With such a balanced load, if a balanced three-phase supply

is applied, the currents will also be balanced.
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase
Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase
Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase
Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase
Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits

Balanced wye-wye connection

Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Example Problem
Example Problem contd…
Example Problem contd…
Example Problem contd…
 Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Balanced wye-wye connection
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Balanced wye-delta connection
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Analysis of Balanced Three Phase Circuits
Power Calculations in Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
Power Calculations in Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
Power Calculations in Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
Power Calculations in Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
Power Calculations in Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
Power Calculations in Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
Power Calculations in Balanced Three-Phase Circuits
 Analysis of Unbalanced Three Phase Circuits

• An unbalanced system is caused by two possible situations:

 The source voltages are unequal in magnitude and/or differ

in phase by angles that are unequal

 Load impedances are unequal

Example 4:
 Measurement of Power in Three Phase Circuits
• The following are the methods

 Three wattmeter method-both balanced and unbalanced

methods

 Two wattmeter method-both balanced and unbalanced loads

 One wattmeter method-for balanced loads only

• According to Blondel’s theorem

– When power is supplied by the K wire AC system, the number

of wattmeter's required to measure power is one less than the
number of wire i.e. (K-1), regardless the load is balanced or
unbalanced.
 Measurement of Power in Three Phase Circuits
Hence, three wattmeters are required to measure power in
three-phase, four-wire system, whereas, only two wattmeters are
required to measure the power in 3 phase, 3 wire system
 Three wattmeter method

• The total power in a three wattmeter method of power

measurement is given by the algebraic sum of the readings of
three wattmeters. i.e.

• Where,
• W 1 = V 1I 1
• W 2 = V 2I 2
• W 3 = V 3I 3
• Except for 3 phase, 4 wire unbalanced load, 3 phase power can
be measured by using only Two Wattmeter Method.
 Single or One wattmeter Method
• This can be only used for balanced three phase load. When the
load is balanced, total power can be calculated as,

• Hence one wattmeter is to be used to measure single phase

power and then reading is to be multiplied by three.

• Key Point ; wattmeter must be connected in such a way that its

current coil must carry Iph and Its current coil must be across
Vph.
 Single or One wattmeter Method
Star Connected Load

• This can be achieved by connecting wattmeter as shown in the

Fig

But voltage coil must be connected so as to measure Vph i.e. as

shown in the Fig. 3.18 i.e. voltage coil across one tine terminal and
other to a neutral point.
 Single or One wattmeter Method
Delta Connected Load
 Single or One wattmeter Method
Delta Connected Load

This can be only used for balanced three phase load. When the load is
balanced, total power can be calculated as,
Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement
• The connection diagram for two wattmeter method of
measuring the three-phase power of balanced star connected
load is shown below.

• Let VR, VY, and VB and IR, IY, and IB be the RMS values of phase
voltages and phase currents. If the load is to be considered inductive.
The phase currents IR, IY, and IB lag behind the corresponding phase
voltages VR, VY, and VB by an angle Φ.
Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement
• The phasor diagram of such a load with a power factor of cos
Φ is shown below.

• From the phasor diagram, the

power measured by the two
wattmeters W1 and W2 is given by,

Since the load is balanced, for star-

connected load,
Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement
• For balanced load condition, wattmeters readings will be,

• Therefore, the total power P consumed by the 3-phase

balanced load will be the sum of two wattmeters readings,
i.e.,
Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement
Measurement of Power Factor using Two Wattmeter Method

• From the above,

W1 + W2 = √3 VL IL cos Φ ...(1)
• Similarly,

• Dividing equation 2 by 1, we get,

Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement

• Therefore, power factor cos Φ is,

At Unity Power Factor Lagging :

• If the power factor of the load is unity i.e., cos Φ = 1. We get Φ = 0°. The
power measured by the wattmeter-1 is,
W1 = VL IL cos(30 - 0) = √3/2 VL IL
• Similarly, power measured by the wattmeter-2 is
W2 = VL IL cos(30 + 0) = √3/2 VL IL
• Hence, at unity power factor, both the wattmeters read half the value of total
power consumed by the load i.e., both wattmeters read the same values.
Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement
At Half Power Factor Lagging :
• If the power factor of the load is half i.e., cos Φ = 1/2. We get
Φ = 60°. The power measured by the wattmeter-1 is,
W1 = VL IL cos(30 - 60) = √3/2 VL IL
• Similarly, power measured by the wattmeter-2 is,
W2 = VL IL cos(30 + 60) = 0
• Hence, at 0.5 power factor, only wattmeter 1 reads the total
power i.e., only one wattmeter reads the value.
At Zero Power Factor Lagging :
• If the power factor of the load is zero i.e., cos Φ = 0. We get Φ
= 90°. The power measured by the wattmeter-1 is,
W1 = VL IL cos(30 - 90) = 1/2 VL IL
Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement

• Similarly, power measured by the wattmeter-2 is,

W2 = VL IL cos(30 + 90) = -1/2 VL IL
• Hence, at zero power factor, both the wattmeters indicate equal
and opposite powers, so that their sum equals zero. Since
wattmeter cannot show negative value as scale starts from zero.
• In such conditions, the terminals of either the current or voltage
coil of the wattmeter that reads negative must be interchanged
(note - should not interchange the terminals of both coils). This
causes the wattmeter to read positive values, but for
calculations, we have to consider it as a negative value only.
Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement
From the above variations, the result can be summarised as

• At zero power factor lagging, W1 reads the positive value and

W2 reads the negative value.

• For power factors lying between 0 to 0.5 lagging, W1 reads the

positive value and W2 reads the negative value.

• At 0.5 power factor lagging, W1 reads the positive value and

W2 reads zero value.

• For power factors lying between 0.5 to 1 lagging, W1 reads the

positive value and W2 reads the positive value.

• At unity power factor lagging, W1 reads the positive value and

W2 reads the positive value.
 Reactive Power with Wattmeter:

• Reactive Power with Wattmeter in a balanced three-phase load

can also be calculated by using a single wattmeter.
• As shown in Fig. (a), the current coil of the wattmeter is
connected in any one line (A in this case), and the pressure
coil across the other two lines (between B and C in this case).
 Reactive Power with Wattmeter:
• Assuming phase sequence ABC and an inductive load of
angle Φ, the phasor diagram for the circuit in Fig. is shown in
Fig. (b).
 Reactive Power with Wattmeter:

• From Fig. (a), if is clear that the wattmeter power is proportional

to the product of current through its current coil, IA, voltage
across its pressure coil, VBC, and cosine of the angle between
VBC and IA.
• So from the phasor diagram we can see that phasor VBC is
lagging VA by 90 degree. And IA is lagging VA by angle A.
• So angular difference between VBC and IA is 90-A.
• Now as per our circuit the measured power is
= VBC. IA.Cos(90-A)= VBC. IA.Sin A.
If the above expression is multiplied by √3, we get the total Reactive
Power with Wattmeter in the load.
Example 5: Calculate the line currents in the three-wire Y-Y

system as shown below

Example 6: A balanced Y-connected source with
Van=100100is connected to a Δ-connected balanced load
(8+j4)Ω per phase. Calculate the phase and line currents.
Example 7: A balanced Δ connected load having an
impedance 20-j15 Ω is connected to a Δ connected, positive
sequence generator having Vab=33000. Calculate the phase
currents and the line currents of the load.
Example 8: A balanced Y connected load with a phase
resistance of 40 Ω and a reactance of 25 Ω is supplies by a
balanced, positive sequence Δ connected source with a line
voltage of 210 V. Calculate the phase currents. Use Vab as
reference.
Example 9:

A 120 V three-phase power system is shown in above figure. It

consists of an ideal 120V Y-connected three-phase generator
connected through a three phase transmission line to a Y-
connected load. The transmission line has an impedance of
0.06+ j 0.12Ω per phase, and the load has an impedance of 12 +
j9Ω per phase. Find (a) the active, reactive and apparent powers
consumed by the load (b) the power factor of the load
Example 10: An unbalanced Δ load is connected to a three-phase, Y-
connected generator having a line voltage of EAB, EBC and ECA. Calculate
the readings of the wattmeters W1 and W2. Find PTotal